Rotary filing system



Dec. 13, 1955 w s L 2,726,912

ROTARY FILING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 21, 1952 INVENTOR. FRANK LLOYD WASSELLBY Q, m AM FMX GW i/y ATTOEA/[YST United States Patent-'0 ROTARY FILINGSYSTEM Frank Lloyd Wassell, Westport, Comm, assiguor to Georgene ParkinWassell, Westport, Conn.

Application February 21, 1952, Serial No. 272,721

Claims. (Cl. 312-198) The present invention relates to filing systemsand, more particularly, to split multiple-platform rotary files of thetype disclosed by the present applicant in application Serial No.223,593, filed April 28, 1951, and entitled Multiple Rotary Card File.

In the above-mentioned application, a filing system is disclosedcomprising a plurality of independently rotatable, concentricallystacked circular file platforms. All but the lowest platform is formedwith an opening therein through which a portion of the surface of theplatform below may be reached. This opening may conveniently have theshape of a truncated sector removed from the circumference of theplatform. By aligning the openings in the platforms ready access may behad to any lower platform. Furthermore, by rotating such lower platformrelative to the aligned openings, all portions of the filing surface maybe successively exposed. Thus, by sacrificing for access purposes aportion of the surface of each platform except, of course, the lowestplatform, the spacing between each platform may be reduced to onlyslightly more than the height of the filed material. Accordingly, thenumber of platforms in a given overall height may be greatly increasedand the total capacity of the filing system within easy reach of aseated operator may be substantially improved.

The present invention contemplates increasing the volume of filedmaterial that a seated operator is able to consult, permittinginspection of reference cards without requiring their complete removalfrom the card stack, and allowing examination of the letter foldercorresponding to the reference card from the same seated position. Thisis particularly advantageous in time loan departments of banks where thecredit cards and correspondence folders may be consulted without leavingthe seat.

The objects of the invention are attained by providing a plurality ofmultiple-platform rotary files in a row along which a seated operatormay move together with a generally horizontal rest for supporting filematerial, such as correspondence folders, and oflice equipment, such asa telephone. Preferably, two rows of rotary files are employed facingeach other to form an aisle. Each file may have supports on at least thetop and bottom platforms for stacking correspondence folderscircumferentially of the platforms and supports on an intermediateplatform for stacking reference cards radially of the platform. Theintermediate platform is, preferably, below the eye level of the seatedoperator to permit inspection of a card without entirely withdrawing itfrom its stack.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of an aisle formed by two rows of splitmultiple-platform rotary files and a carriage for a seated operatormovable therealong, and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation view, taken along the line 22 of Fig.l in the direction indicated by arrows, of the operators chair and deskmounted on the carriage in front of two split multiple-platform rotaryfiles.

- the desired location in an-office without in any way de- "iceReferring now to the drawing, there are illustrated two parallel rows ofsplit multiple-platform rotary files 11, 12 and 13, 14 of the typedisclosed in the above-mentioned patent application. The files 11, 12and 13, 14 are arranged on opposite sides, respectively, of an aisle 15formed by the rows of files. A carriage 16, on which is mounted a seat17 and a generally horizontal rest 18, is movable along the aisle 15 onguideways 19. The carriage 16 may, as shown, take the specific form of aplatform truck that rolls on rubber-tired wheels 21. The seat 17 mayconveniently be a stenographers swivel chair the height of which may beadjusted. The rest 18 is illustrated as a table or desk.

The floor of the aisle 15 is covered by a base plate 22 which serves tosecure the guideways 19. The guideways 19 may comprise parallel tracksbut are preferably formed by grooves in the base plate 22. The guidewaysterminate just short of the ends 23 and 24 of the base plate 22 in orderthat they may serve as stops limiting the longitudinal movement of thecarriage 16.

An opening 25 is provided in the carriage 16 in order to permit the feetof the operator to rest upon the base plate 22 and allow the operator topropel the carriage 16 backward or forward along the aisle 15 betweenthe files. A slight foot movement will roll the carriage with the rest18, the seat 17 and its occupant opposite the file that the operatordesires to consult. Thus access is had to all files on either side ofthe aisle 15 from a seated position. The rest 18 may support a telephoneand/or inter-communication apparatus in order that the operator mayreceive an inquiry, consult the files, inspect the file material eitherin the file or on the rest 18, and supply the necessary information inthe briefest possible interval.

It is to be noted that the entire filing system comprising the rotaryfiles 11, 12, 13 and 14, the carriage 16 and the base plate 22 may beassembled in a few minutes at facing the floor or fastening equipment inplace.

The rotary files 11, 12, 13 and 14 are similar and will be suflicient todescribe the file 11. The file 11 is surrounded by a substantiallysquare dust-proof housing 26 having an access opening 27 which may beclosed when the file is not in use. Within the housing 26 are fivehorizontal platforms 28, 29, 31, 32 and 33 spaced one above the otherand concentrically mounted for inde pendent rotation about a centralvertical column 34. A typical platform 28 is formed from a generallycircular horizontal sheet fastened to a plurality of radial websincluding Webs 35 and 36 which extend from a central hub 37. A truncatedsector of the sheet is omitted between the radial webs 35 and 36 leavingan opening 38 in the platform 28 and these webs are interconnected nearthe hub by a transverse brace 39 on which may be posted indexinformation. The platforms 2% and 29 are illustrated in their normalresting position with their openings in vertical alignment. The platform31 has been rotated so that its opening is no longer in alignment withthe other openings with the result that a file box 41 on the platform isnow readily accessible to the operator.

The top two platforms 2% and 29 and the bottom two platforms 32 and 33are adapted to support correspondence folders in circumferential stackswhile the middle platform 31 serves to support file boxes containingcards in radially disposed stacks. These cards may be conven ientlycross-indexed with the correspondence folders in the same rotary file.The card supporting platform 31 is mounted slightly below normaleye-level so that cards may be inspected without entirely removing thesame firom the stack thus eliminating the possibility of misling.

The height of the files 11, 12, 13 and 14 may conven iently be the sameas a conventional four-drawer suspension file. However, unlike aconventional..,file all material is accessible from a seated position.The files may be four feet square and the aisle may be about three feetwide.

in a business organization. The major part of 'thephysical labornormally involved in filing is eliminated, since there is no walking,drawer pulling and pushing,pancl stopping or stretching. Noise,confusion and fatigue are minimized, and errors are accordingly reduced.Ofiice space is'conserved and responsibility for reference and filing isconcentrated. Clerical time is greatly shortened permitting a reductionin personnelor an increase in department productivity. Executive time.is conserved, and customer good will is'enhanced. V

I Claim: 7 V t V V 1. In a filing system wherein a carriagecarrying aseated filing operator is moved along .guideways 'to permit fast accessby the operator'while remaining seated to different items of a body of.file material disposed along the length of the guideways,.the:combinationof a plu rality of files disposed in a row alongside the.guideways within lateral reach of the seated operator, each filecomprising a'plurality of generally circular .platforms each having aplanar support surface .for file material and an edge portion'whichcircumferentially bounds the platform, said platforms beingindependently and rotatably' mounted one above the other about asubstantially vertical axis,,the bottom and top ones of said platforms'being, respectively, at the lowermost level conveniently V Theefficiency of :the above-disclosed filingfsystem re-i sultsrinsubstantial reduction in the-expenselofmaintaining a file department andyieldsmanyw less direct benefits form, and housing means having topmeans and side wall means which enclose said files, said side wall meanshaving formed therein a plurality of openings disposed between saidfiles and said guideways, one opening being located in front of eachfile and having a vertical ex- 7 tent providing access for the seatedoperator from the guideways to all the platforms of the associated file.

2. A filing system as in :claim 1 wherein said openings each extendvertically in said side wall means to said top wallmeans and thenhorizontally part way into said top wall means, thehorizontal portion ofeach opening providing vertical access'through'the top wall means to thetop platform of the associated file.

3. A filing system according to claim 1 wherein the portion of eachplatform that is cut away is in the shape of a truncated sector which isnormally aligned with the cut away portion in the next higher platformtofacilitate access-to the next lower platform. 7

4. A filing system according to claim .1 whereinat least the top andbottom platforms of each file are provided with vertical supportsradially aligned with 'the axis ofthe file for supportingmaterialvertically and circumferentially of the platforms.

5. Afiling system according to claim 1 wherein file trays are providedon an intermediate platform below the eye level of the seated operatorfor stacking material ver- 7 tically' and radially of the platform.

reachable by the seated operatorand intermediate waist and shoulderlevel for the seated operator, the said circumferential edge portion ofeach platform" being sub:

stantially as low as the support surface thereoflto provide freeaccessfor the operator radially of said :platform and V at the level ofthe support surface. to file material -supported on the surface, in eachfile at least each platform above the bottom platform'having a portionofits periphery cut away to facilitate .access to the next lower plat-References Cited inthe file of.this patent STATES PATENTS

